Ann The Gran Community

I would LOVE some suggestions if anyonce can help....I am newer to embroidery and cannot figure out the problem

I have a Janome 350E.  I have friends who love getting names on canvas bags that I have.  I use a sticky stablizer and do it hoopless (I hope I am using the correct terms) then pin the bag to the stabilizer.  It constantly leaves the bottom stitches showing.  The top stiches do not cover it. (I know these are not the correct terms....I apologize!)  I have to go back and try to pull those stitches out, and then it looks terrible.  I have tried different needles, and that doesn't seem to make a difference.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  I have ruined a million bags!!!!

Thanks!

Are you saying the bobbin thread is showing on the right side of the design?

Some have found a looser upper tension adjustment helps.

Don't discard the million bags you think are ruined - stitch out a new design as a "patch" and glue it over the mis-stitched design with Fabric-Tack. 

Tips:  http://www.emblibrary.com/EL/elprojects/SimpleProduct_ELP.aspx?CS_ProductID=PR1238&CS_Catalog=Elprojects

Hello,  I have embroidered several canvas bags for myself and family members and not used any stabilizer with great success.  Seems that the fabric is thick enough to hold up to the design.  Just wanted to pass it along as an option.  J

I agree and have found that some denim is able to be done without stabilizer.

My one caution is that if there are a lot of details in a design, that might be a problem.

Pat

I too am new to all this. I have the Janome 1100. I don't use any stabilizer on canvas either and always use the same color thread on the bobbin that i use on top have never had a problem. works great.

now if i could just figure out how to do towels and blankets lol

If your bag is big enough, sticky backing placement is still not easy,cut down BOTH sides , make your job easy and more fun.If the bag is too thick for your frame ,use the sticky backing and still slide a extra peice of backing under that! now loosen the top tension and tighten the bobbin tension but ONLY 15 minutes on the clock,as a guide ,so that you can get it back for regular sewing. one or all of these tricks will do it. just because you bought a finished product , don't be afraid to cut it apart, put it back together as a french seam( sew the bag ON THE OUTSIDE FIRST THEN FLIP INSIDE OUT AND SEW A SEAM ON THE INSIDE ) OR JUST A PEICE OF SEAM TAPE RIGHT OVER TOP OF THE SEAM AND STITCH BACK. Either way it is easyer, faster and usually stronger when done.      stitchesbykathy@cox.com

Some of you may not know what Kathy is referring to in adjusting the bobbin tension "15 minutes". 

Picturing the screw on the side of the bobbin case as a clock and the slot on the head of the screw as 12 and 6, this would be a quarter turn of the screw.

If you intend to adjust the tension of a sewing machine bobbin, make a tiny mark on the bobbin case at the end of the slot on the screw head.  That way you will know where you started and where to return the setting back to the manufacturer's setting.

ecimino,

My solution is to embroider on open fabric, turn the fabric into a pocket, and then sew the pocket onto the canvas bag.  You can find instructions in one of my blogs from a few years ago:

http://www.annthegran.com/cs/media/p/17046.aspx

This plan adds the personalization that your friends will love and also gives them 2 extra pockets.  Please take a look.

Carol Brown

ecimo,

My apologies if this message duplicates another.  I received an error message when posting a moment ago, but the message may actually have gotten through.

My solution to embroidering on canvas bags is not to do it.  Instead, I embroider on fabric, turn the fabric into a pocket, and then attach the pocket to the canvas bag.  Your friends will enjoy the personalization and they'll also have 2 extra pockets for their bag.  Please take a look at my blog for further information:

http://www.annthegran.com/cs/media/p/17046.aspx

Carol Brown

ecimino,

My solution is to embroider on a separate piece of fabric.  I turne the fabric into a pocket, which I can easily attach to the canvas bag.  It is much easier to sew 3 sides of a pocket than hoop the bag for embroidery.  Please see my blog for more information about how I make my pockets:

http://www.annthegran.com/cs/media/p/17046.aspx

Carol Brown

ecimino:

I would LOVE some suggestions if anyonce can help....I am newer to embroidery and cannot figure out the problem

I have a Janome 350E.  I have friends who love getting names on canvas bags that I have.  I use a sticky stablizer and do it hoopless (I hope I am using the correct terms) then pin the bag to the stabilizer.  It constantly leaves the bottom stitches showing.  The top stiches do not cover it. (I know these are not the correct terms....I apologize!)  I have to go back and try to pull those stitches out, and then it looks terrible.  I have tried different needles, and that doesn't seem to make a difference.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  I have ruined a million bags!!!!

Thanks!

 

Try using solvey on the front it helps hold the design from sinking in to the nap on the fabric.   If that it is not avible try serran wrap it works.  I have been in the buisness for years.

To embroidery on towels and blankets hoop the sticky stablizer then remove top part to expose the sticky side.  Now center your towel or blanket on the hoop and cover the top with water soluable stablizer [this is clear and washes away when it gets wet.  It keeps the design on the top of the towel or blanket and lets the design show through.  I hope this helps.  I have been embroidering for a couple of years and just learn as I go.  I got this tip from Ann the Gran page.

In the first place why use sticky stablizer?  It makes a mess on the back of towel etc, on a heavier item just use a tear-a-way.  Hoop the stablizer, lay the item on top where you want it.  DO NOT use a water soluable stablizer on top, it does what it says it washes away and then your design sink in, use a regular one.  If your machine has a basting stitch use it and hit go.

I have been doing this for years and I use every trick in the book.  I pick up hints all the time to make things easier. 

Marge

I have found I need a good sharp new needle when I embroider my canvas bags and change them every time on a large design like my Colt Classic and Camelia Carlton Chandelier one just so I get the most clean stitches. I came up with these tote bags to sort out my life and my car! http://elaundry.blogspot.com/2011/05/boot-bag-de-cluttering-car.html Now I can always find my car keys, they are on the karabiner just inside the top! tm x

I went to the web-site and why didn't you tell us that is your site and you are selling these?

The  posting on this site are for questions and sharing knowledge, not for advertizing things you sell.  There are plenty of sites out here where you can do this.

Marge

Try using water soluble stabilizer on top of the towel or blanket. This holds the stitches up out of the loose fabric of the towels and blankets. After you are finished, water dissolves the stabilizer leaving just your embroidery stitches.

1 Cut a piece of stabilizer slightly larger than your embroidery hoop.

2 Turn the canvas bag wrong side out.

3 Hoop the stabilizer and fabric together if possible. If you're unable to hoop the bag, hoop the stabilizer and adhere the bag to it using spray adhesive.

4 Roll or fold the excess fabric out of the way of the embroidery area. Secure the excess fabric with masking tape or hair clips. If the bag is small or the embroidery design is large, it may be necessary to use a seam-ripper to remove the stitches along one side of the bag.

5 Transmit the embroidery design to the machine and stitch out the design.

6 Remove the hoop from the machine and unhoop the fabric. Snip any excess threads and tear or trim the stabilizer from the back of the design.

7 If you removed the stitching on one side of the bag, use a regular sewing machine to replace the seam. Finish the seam with a zig-zag or overlock stitch to avoid fraying.

8 Turn the bag right side out and press with an iron if necessary.

Embroidery designs

I WAS JUST LOOKING UP FOR SOME GREAT HELP FROM THIS FORUM ON WORKING WITH CANVAS..WHEN I SAW YOUR BAGS..Great Job!!!,

They look like gray..If you don't mind/ where did you find them..Gray is definitely my color with kids and dogs...

thank you, Have a great day...Linda

HopMaster magna magnet.  It is awesome!

I just finished making some canvas bag as gifts.  I didn't use a stabalizer and they were perfect. As for the boton stitch.  I think when you try no stab.  it will correct itself.  Hope this helps you.